Category Archives: free news stories

Mo Co Monthly “Quarter Madness”

News Progress Posted on by

•April 2, 2025•

Moultrie County Monthly Quarter Madness will hold the April Quarter Auction on Wednesday, April 9. The event will be held at the Sullivan American Legion Post #68. Moultrie County Beacon, Inc. is the organization of the month. The Moultrie County Beacon, currently serving 70 clients, has been providing services to individuals with intellectual disabilities in the Sullivan community since 1968. They have a community day service program, a 24-Hour Residential CILA program, a supported employment program, and home-based services. They are the fifth largest employer in Moultrie County, with approximately 105 staff members. 

Vendors at the event could include direct sales such as Avon, Jordan Essentials, Tastefully Simple, Norwex, Color Street, Pampered Chef, Plunder, Scentsy, JBloom, PLUS different craft and food vendors with tumblers, t-shirts, wreaths, earrings, wind spinners, potholders, signs, décor, soy based candles and melties, freeze dried candies, and more. 

Come shop the vendors and stay for the Quarter Auction. Bring your quarters for charity items and extra bidding. All-In-Paddle will be $20. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the Quarter Auction begins at 6:30. All ages are welcome to at-tend. Food will be available for purchase through the “Highway Heartburn” food truck in the Legion Parking Lot. Drink purchases can be made through the Legion. A Bake Sale benefit-ting the Moultrie County Beacon will also be taking place. For more information, visit the “Mo Co Monthly Quarter Madness” Facebook page or contact Ginger Voegel.

MISS April luncheon speaker

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•April 2, 2025•

The Mid-Illinois Senior Services Center is hosting a free lunch with Heather Calcara, Outreach Liaison for the Illinois Attorney General’s office, who has previously presented on senior scams, as well as other common scams, including identity theft. This event will be held at the Sullivan Senior Center, 113 East Jefferson Street in Sullivan, on April 1st from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

This monthly event provides attendees with helpful medical  (when presented by a physician) and other valuable information they can use, and an opportunity to ask important questions. The goal of the “Dine With a Doc” program is to help ensure Seniors’ quality of life, promote enhanced living, extend their available financial resources, enjoy fellowship with their peers, and provide them with resources and information to make informed medical decisions. Attendees can also win door prizes.

For more information on Dine with a Doc, visit www.dinewithadoc.com or contact Senior Education Ministries at (217) 917-4970 or email senioreducationminitries@yahoo.com. To reserve a spot for lunch, call the Mid-Illinois Senior Services center at (217) 728-8521.

“Spring Fling” fashion show

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•April 2, 2025•

On Monday, April 14th from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., the Mid-Illinois Senior Services (MISS) at 113 East Jefferson Street, Sullivan, in partnership with Thrifty Boutique, will be hosting a Spring Fling fashion show. Spring fashions from Thrifty Boutique will be showcased, and coffee and donuts will be provided to all in attendance. There is no cost to attend, but donations are always welcomed. Attendance is open to anyone - the more, the merrier. 

The Spring Fling Fashion Show is sponsored by MISS and RSVP (Retired Seniors and Volunteer Program). The event is being held to help bring community awareness to The Thrifty Boutique, which raises funds to support MISC and RSVP. Held in the past, the goal moving forward is to make this an annual event. 

Fashion models and other volunteers are from Sullivan High School and RSVP/MISS. From SHS: Zoe Conlin, Kendall Penberthy, Allyssa Prahl, Issac Reider, Joleigh Tipsword, Camdin Waidelich, Ivan Moxley, Maddison Walters, and Miracle Wilson. RSVP/MISS volunteers: Wanda Abbott, Debbie Eaton, Judy Fiest, Ann Sanners, Sandy Cameron, Esther Nelson, Norma Piper, Barb Stinson, Shirley Ford, and Brenda Stone.

To RSVP for this event and reserve your spot, contact Norma Piper, CEFS, at (217)728-7721.

Windsor Mobile Food Pantry

News Progress Posted on by

•March 26, 2025•

On Thursday, April 3rd, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., the Mobile Food Pantry will be distributing food to those in need at Windsor Elementary, at 808 Wisconsin Ave. This delivery is for residents of Moultrie and Shelby counties only.

Those in need of a food box must register by noon on March 28th by calling the Windsor Storm Library, Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at (217) 459-2498, during business hours only. Once your form is completed by phone, you will be given a number to bring on the distribution day. If you lose your number, you need to bring identification.

Availability is limited to 120 families. Don’t wait until the last minute to call; the delivery truck has limited space. This Mobile Food Pantry is made possible by the University of Illinois Extension in cooperation with partnership sponsors Decatur Catholic Charities and the Windsor School District.

ACOE releases campground date openings

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•March 26, 2025•

Opening dates for Lake Shelbyville campgrounds, released by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers is as follows: Forrest W. Bo Wood, April 17th; Lithia Springs, April 17th; Coon Creek, May 1st, Opposum Creek, May 15th, and Lone Point on May 15th.

Sullivan Easter “Eggstravaganza”

News Progress Posted on by

•March 26, 2025•

A community Easter egg “Eggstravaganza” will be held on Saturday, April 19th from 11:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. at 20 Courtyard Blvd., Sullivan. Food trucks Sweetea’z, Eddie’s Taco Truck, Tucker Family Concession, Sweet Vail, and Donut Dollies will be there. Also at the event will be the Sullivan Fire Department, Sullivan PD, MCSD, City of Sullivan, and IDOT. Pony rides, inflatable bounce house, DJ music, and more. There will also be kid’s bike raffles for ages 0-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-11; adult Easter basket worth $250.00, a 50/50 raffle. Character visits from Bluey, Elsa, Poppy, Branch, Spiderman, and the Easter Bunny. For more information, call (217) 728-4300.

Pet vaccination clinic at library

News Progress Posted on by

•March 19, 2025•

The Marrowbone Public Library in Bethany will be hosting a pet vaccination clinic for cats and dogs on Wednesday, April 9, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Community Room. The entrance for this clinic is the East door.

Vaccinations and pricing are as follows:

$18.00 rabies shot for dogs/cats, 4+ month old

$5.00 Moultrie County dog tag

$27.00 DA2P-CPV annual dog (distemper/parvo)

$25.00 puppy vaccine 6 wks-4 mos. w/deworming

$30.00 Lyme’s vaccination

$32.00 canine Bordetella vaccine (kennel cough)

$20.00 FVRCP annual cat distemper/upper respiratory

$27.00 feline leukemia vaccine annual booster

For more information, see the Marrowbone Public Library’s Facebook Page.

Arthur Public Library hosts free nutrition session

News Progress Posted on by

•March 19, 2025•

On April 5th at 1:00 p.m. at the Arthur Public Library, Becca Dickens from Regenerative Life Farms will speaks about the benefits of local food infrastructure. Becca is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner who cultivates communities and heals through sustainable food, holistic healing and wellness practices. 

You do not need to be a patron of the Arthur Public Library to attend this free event but registration is required. Call (217) 543-2037 or visit the library to reserve your seat.

Homemade Easter eggs to order

News Progress Posted on by

•March 19, 2025•

The United Women in Faith are now taking orders for their homemade chocolate Easter eggs. Decorated peanut butter and vanilla eggs will be available for purchase for family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors.

Order online at https://www.sullivanfirstumc.com/ or pick up an order form in the entryway of the First United Methodist Church’s Fellowship Hall (located across from the Sullivan Fire Department). All orders are due by March 30th.

For over 20 years, all profits have been used to support our many missions, including Mary’s Weekend Bags, AMBUCS, DOVE, and Teen Impact.

If you have any questions, contact Ann Wheeler at (217) 273-0789.